James Durbin Deals His Anger In "Love Me Bad"

James Durbin, the 'American Idol' heavy metal castaway, has released the first video for his new single "Love Me Bad," the second track from his upcoming debut album, "Memories of a Beautiful Disaster," which which comes out next Tuesday. Don't make Durbin angry. On American Idol,' 22-year-old Durbin waved the flag for rock and it was that devotion to rock that helped him overcome his private struggles. The fiery video showing off Durbin performs the song with his band, surrounded by the smoldering remains, and his voice that allowed him to reach the final four in Season 10 of 'Idol.'
The fourth-place finisher in last season's 'American Idol' competition is a huge heavy metal fan, but "Love Me Bad" is more of a pop-rock song with a few other influences tossed in, like the grunge-sounding guitar intro. Durbin's large voice joins louder guitars on the hook, "In the middle of the night when I feel you by my side, well it's nothing but a memory." He also shows off his high-pitched wail a couple of times throughout the song. The full band chimes in behind Durbin's soaring chorus of longing and regret, creating a sonic boom of broken hearts.
"Love Me Bad" is about missing an old flame and wanting her back, but the video apparently catches Durbin in the middle of the 'anger' phase of recovery. The track is a bit formulaic, following the quiet verse/soaring chorus template established by successful acts like Daughtry. While the song doesn't take any chances, its huge vocals and polished production make it a worthwhile debut effort. That's the message of the "Love Me Bad" video, which finds the former "American Idol" contestant setting everything in sight on fire in a fit of rage.
The rocker races out to the desert in a convertible and turn the desert heat up a couple degrees as he sets fire to his memories in his new video. When he stops, he unloads a series of personal effects from the trunk that presumably used to belong to his ex. "We shot the video for 'Love Me Bad' in the Coyote dry lake bed out in the desert of Barstow, California," Durbin told Loudwire recently. "We were, like, 90 minutes away from Las Vegas and it was a day full of rock 'n' roll debauchery. I accidentally blew up a 1971 Dodge Charger by driving it too hard! The hood was on fire and there was smoke everywhere. It was insane."